Vikings DE Edwards will skip offseason program

The Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards recently made it clear that he would not only skip voluntary offseason program but also the mandatory minicamp if long-term contract is still not offered by the time. However, it may turn out to be no good for him as the Vikings have added quite a few new players at his position.

As a four-year veteran, Edwards would have been an unrestricted free agent if new Collective Bargaining Agreement was reached by the time old one expired. However, as new CBA is unavailable in 2010, all NFL players need six years of NFL service to become unrestricted free agents, and Edwards only became a restricted free agent and the Vikings offered him a first-round tender that will pay Edwards $2.5 million for playing in 2010 season if signed.

As long as Edwards does not sign the tender, he is free to skip the team’s offseason workouts, OTAs and the mandatory minicamp. Edwards seems confident that he will get what he wants if he insists and threatens. However, if he does not sign the offer by June 15, the Vikings will have the right to reduce the offer price to 110 percent of his base salary in 2009. Besides, even without Edwards, the Vikings will still run well in offseason workouts as they have several new options in rookies, including Brian Robison, Everson Griffen, Jayme Mitchell and Mike Montgomery, who just put on Vikings jerseys and are eager to compete for more playing time.